Maintaining asphalt isn't just about fixing problems as they happen—it's about planning ahead. A multi-year asphalt maintenance plan helps property owners and facility managers stay ahead of cracks, potholes, and surface wear, and when done right, can save you money and extend the life of your pavement. With a thoughtful schedule, thorough inspections, and preventive action, you can protect your property's paved surfaces, keep it safe for employees and visitors, and avoid costly repairs in the future.
At Doctor Asphalt, we specialize in helping businesses of all types and sizes build effective multi-year maintenance plans. Keep reading to find out how to build your plan and keep your property's asphalt in top condition.
Why Planning Matters For Commercial Pavement
If you've been a property manager or facility manager or in another role where managing your business's pavement is a priority, you already have a good idea that your parking lot, driveways, roadfronts and sidewalks don't take care of themselves. Asphalt and other pavement materials deteriorate over time, and before you know it you'll have cracks, ruts and potholes taking over.
Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping surfaces intact and is significantly more cost-effective than letting it be and then dealing with expensive repairs. Planning and budgeting for multi-year maintenance reduces pavement issues, which lead to surprise expenses. This approach also protects your property's value and ensures the outside of your business is safe for customers, employees and other visitors.
The Cost of Delaying Parking Lot Repairs: Why Acting Now Saves Money
Key Steps to Build Your Asphalt Maintenance Plan
Get a Comprehensive Pavement Assessment
The first order of business is a proper assessment to determine the existing condition of your asphalt surface. This initial inspection will involve checking for cracks, potholes, drainage issues and extensive surface wear. This allows you and the paving contractor to identify areas that may require immediate attention before you can shift to a proactive maintenance plan.
How to Spot and Address Early Signs of Asphalt Damage
Establish a Maintenance Schedule
The next step to building an asphalt maintenance plan for your organization is establishing a schedule tailored to your specific needs. Some of the factors that will influence the asphalt maintenance measures needed and their frequency include traffic volume, weather patterns, the age of the pavement and how the surface is used.
Your multi-year maintenance plan should include pavement services:
- Sealcoating cycles
- Crack filling and patching
- Resurfacing or overlays
- Plans for short-term and long-term interventions as required repairs arise
When you work with a reliable paving contractor such as Doctor Asphalt, you can rest assured that your best interests are in mind. A reputable paving partner will ensure the work you need is completed on time, without unnecessary services or excessive costs.
Set a Realistic Budget
Once you know what your multi-year asphalt maintenance plan looks like, you'll be able to set a budget for the necessary work required each year to keep your parking lots, walkways and roadways in good shape. Some of the things to keep in mind while creating your budget should include:
- Allocate funds for routine maintenance based on the quotes you receive
- Consider inflation and rising material costs for the future years
- Include some contingency for unexpected damage and emergency repairs
Here are some additional resources for planning your budget:
What Commercial Asphalt Services Cost
How to Budget For Asphalt Maintenance For Your Facility
Asphalt Maintenance on a Budget: Top Cost-Saving Methods
Frequently Asked Questions About Asphalt Maintenance
How often should asphalt be inspected?
Your asphalt parking lot should be inspected twice a year. Establishing a relationship with a reputable and reliable commercial paving company to perform these bi-annual inspections can help ensure your existing maintenance plan is working and identify repairs early on.
What's the difference between preventive maintenance and repairs?
Preventive maintenance for asphalt pavement includes proper inspections and sealcoating to reduce issues and damage from occurring. Pavement repairs are needed when problems already exist and need to be corrected before the issue escalates.
Can a multi-year plan save money compared to reactive repairs?
Yes, a multi-year plan for your asphalt pavement can help save you money as it prevents repairs that tend to cost more.
How does weather and climate affect my maintenance schedule?
Harsh climates like extreme heat in Texas or the freeze–thaw cycles in Wisconsin and Minnesota can speed up asphalt wear. Heat causes surface softening and oxidation, while freezing temperatures lead to cracking. Adjusting your maintenance schedule to your local climate helps keep your pavement in better condition.
Build Your Multi-Year Asphalt Plan with Doctor Asphalt
At Doctor Asphalt, we are dedicated to being a reliable partner to the businesses we serve in developing and executing multi-year asphalt plans. Our commitment begins with thorough site evaluations and condition assessments which gives us a clear understanding of your specific needs.
From there, we create custom maintenance schedules that are tailored to your property, ensuring that all work is completed not only on time but also with minimal disruption to your daily operations. Our preventive and repair services are performed promptly, on schedule and with minimal disruption to your operation.
For those managing larger portfolios and multiple locations, we offer multi-site solutions that ensure efficiency and consistency across all your properties.
At Doctor Asphalt, we understand that a proactive approach to asphalt is the best way to ensure the longevity and quality of your asphalt surfaces while preventing costly future repairs. Let us help you keep your asphalt surfaces in top condition for years to come!
Doctor Asphalt delivers high-quality asphalt paving and maintenance solutions designed for the unique demands of the local climate. With a strong reputation for reliability and expertise, we provide premium services that enhance the safety and longevity of commercial and residential properties. Serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas, with nationwide capabilities for multi-property clients, we ensure durable, professional results that keep your pavement in top condition.
